Either
['aɪðə;'iː-] or ['iðɚ]
Definition
(adv.) after a negative statement used as an intensive meaning something like `likewise' or `also'; 'he isn't stupid, but he isn't exactly a genius either'; 'I don't know either'; 'if you don't order dessert I won't either'.
Edited by Annabel--From WordNet
Definition
(a. & pron.) One of two; the one or the other; -- properly used of two things, but sometimes of a larger number, for any one.
(a. & pron.) Each of two; the one and the other; both; -- formerly, also, each of any number.
(conj. Either) precedes two, or more, coordinate words or phrases, and is introductory to an alternative. It is correlative to or.
Checker: Sinclair
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. & pron. [1]. (Appropriately) One or the other (of two).[2]. (Less authorized) Any one (of several).[3]. (Of doubtful propriety) Each (of two), both, one and the other.
Checker: Rowena
Definition
adj. or pron. the one or the other: one of two: each of two.—conj. correlative to or: (B.) or.
Checker: Raffles
Examples
- It may be questioned whether some of the present pedagogical interest in the matter of values of studies is not either excessive or else too narrow. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- I haven't any sister, or father and mother either. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- The sign Bell out of order is usually due to the fact that the battery is either temporarily or permanently exhausted. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- It was then easy enough to obtain a fairly accurate silhouette, by either outlining the profile or cutting it out from the screen. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The marriages of either were discussed; and their prospects in life canvassed with the greatest frankness and interest on both sides. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- She fell asleep, hoping for some brightness, either internal or external. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Others again kept out of the way, hoping to escape either alternative. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- On a hasty review of his unfortunate position, Mr. Snagsby can't say either. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- They had told her that her aunt Shaw was coming; but she had not expressed either surprise or pleasure, or dislike to the idea. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- But those who like Peter Featherstone never had a copy of themselves demanded, are the very last to wait for such a request either in prose or verse. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- It is well watered, and its affluent vegetation gains effect by contrast with the barren hills that tower on either side. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- The effect instantly ceases when the current is interrupted by breaking connection with either pole of the battery. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- I did not parade with either party, but occasionally met with the wide awakes --Republicans--in their rooms, and superintended their drill. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- I must either wrong my three dear girls or my venerable father, who is entirely dependent on me, in the Vale of Taunton; or some one. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I had not thought of both; I should not think either, likely. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- The span is made of either hard wood or ivory. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- I have no feeling either way. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- A commanding general cannot base his actions upon either absolute certainty or absolute ignorance. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- In either case the distance through which the prongs move is very small and the period is very short, so that the eye can seldom detect the movement itself. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- In the present instance, a worse feeling than either of these actuated the leader. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- The drawing benches resemble long tables, with a bench on either side, at one end of which is an iron box secured to the table. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- To yield without conviction is no compliment to the understanding of either. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Two walked close on either side of Thuvia, as guards might walk. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- My head ached with wondering how it happened, if men were neither fools nor rascals; and my heart ached to think they could possibly be either. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- It must be either publicly by setting the magistrate and coroner to work, or privately by questioning Lydgate. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Either beats or cringes, said Wemmick, not at all addressing himself to me. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- How could I wish to make anything hard to you either by my words or conduct? George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Every time her hand searched for either of these, it would touch the book; and, sooner or later (who knows? Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- He had the faith of the one, the doubt of the other, and, drawn strongly either way by these opposing forces, paused irresolutely between the two. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- This move was made without a single casualty in either branch of the service. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
Checker: Raffles